Stanfordville Farm Destroyed by Fire

A large fire swept through Kemmerer Farm last Thursday afternoon, causing extensive damage. The fire destroyed three barns, vital farming equipment and a significant portion of the family’s hay crop, their primary source of income.

The Stanford Fire Company was dispatched to the 100-acre hay farm located at 391 Shuman Road at 12:12 p.m. on July 18, with the first engine arriving at the scene by 12:30 p.m., according to Assistant Chief Dennis Buchal. Despite the rapid response from the Stanford Fire Company — and fire companies from neighboring communities including Pine Plains, Amenia, Sharon, East Clinton, Millbrook, Pleasant Valley and Wassaic — the fire already caused extensive damage by the time firefighters arrived.

As of Thursday, there was no determined cause of the fire which destroyed 75% of the farm’s hay — over 3,500 bales — along with essential equipment, including two hay balers, six hay wagons, a tractor, a skid steer, an accumulator and a delivery truck, said John Kemmerer Sr., who owns the farm with his wife, Clara Kemmerer. The family also lost office equipment, storage racks and invaluable family photos.

John Kemmerer Sr., who started an equine supply company, Hunt Country Supply, in Stanfordville in 1995, estimated the total damage at more than $1 million.“Once the fire hits the hay it’s difficult to control,” said Clara Kemmerer.

Kemmerer Farm has been an agricultural staple in the community for over a century. “My great-grandfather bought this farm in 1921,” said Emily Hay, the daughter of Clara and John Kemmerer Sr. “Before my family, this land has been in recorded agricultural use since the late 1700s.” Over the years, the farm has evolved from poultry and dairy farming to producing hay, equine supplies and animal feed. 

Hay, who founded the nonprofit Centennial Farm Foundation in 2021 to assist other farmers with 100-plus-year-old farms in need of assistance, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support her family has received. “It’s inexplicable, really,” she said. “Being part of a strong farm family throughout my whole life, we’ve always faced troubles along the way, things we’ve managed to overcome. That’s why I started the foundation, thinking of those smaller issues that people need help getting past.” Now, Hay and her family are the ones in need of assistance.

“Stanford residents always talk about our agricultural heritage. We have always been a farming community,” Town Supervisor Wendy Burton said. “The truth is that there aren’t many farms left and John’s family has been farming for over 100 years. The most important thing we can do as a community is to come together and come to their aid. They are pillars of our community.”

Burton highlighted the community’s history of coming together, referencing the recent rebuilding of SPARC Park. “Four hundred people came together to rebuild SPARC Park. If we can build a park, we can help raise barns.” she said. “For everyone in our surrounding towns: this is a perfect time to show what it means to be a good neighbor.”

The Kemmerer family’s main source of income comes from producing and selling hay, following the closure of Hunt Country Supply, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They continue to supply equine bedding and feed to many horse farms surrounding their property, although the fire has severely affected their operations.

Despite the family’s current state of shock, they hope to rebuild. And, while the Kemmerers have insurance, it won’t cover the full cost. “We couldn’t afford to cover everything, but we covered the main pieces. The barns are covered for what they cost to build, but they won’t cover the cost to rebuild them. Everything is way more expensive now,” said John Kemmerer Sr.

“We thank everyone in the community, the first responders and everyone here that has offered support or reached out in any way,” said John Kemmerer Sr. “We’re not afraid to ask for help, because we’re going to need it if we’re going to stay here.”

To donate to help Kemmerer Farm click here.